Beloved Marvel Colourist Justin Ponsor Passes Away

He was 42 years old.

Defenders Justin Ponsor
Marvel Comics/David Marquez/Justin Ponsor

Longtime Marvel colourist Justin Ponsor passed away May 18, 2019, after a "long and well documented" period where he was receiving treatment for cancer. He was 42 years old.

Ponsor's untimely passing is a huge loss to the comics industry, and to Marvel specifically. As one of the foremost colourists working in the medium, Ponsor helped to craft the entire look and aesthetic of the Marvel Universe with revered stints on Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, The Avengers and The Defenders. Ponsor was even shown to have been working to meet deadlines while receiving treatment in hospital.

A statement from his family posted via Facebook mentioned that "Justin passed away in his home early on the morning of May 18th surrounded by loved ones."

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"It has been a time of mourning, reminiscing, and, above all else, celebration. Because. C’mon. This guy."

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Tributes have flooded in from across the industry in the days since his passing, with Marvel celebrating Ponsor as "one of the most brilliant colorists in the industry... The Marvel family has lost one of our own."

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Others, meanwhile, have taken the opportunity to share some of their favourite of Ponsor's works, among them Charles Soule, who collaborated with the colourist while writing the Death of Wolverine.

Avengers #19, which released this Wednesday, is set to be one of Ponsor's last ever works. He will be sorely missed.

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Our thoughts are with Justin's friends and family at this time. Please feel free to leave your own tributes to the colourist in the comments below.

Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.